Chapter 64
Jasper looked into my eyes, seeming certain of his guess: "Ms. Wilson, don't tell me you don't know who Emma is. Besides her, I can't think of anyone else who could make you hate us, the Brown Family, this much, who could make Nina help you unconditionally, even personally bring you high-quality clients."
He seemed to think he was getting closer to the answer.
I still smiled faintly: "I'm also curious why you're so sure I know Emma. Let me guess - you must have done so many things wrong to Emma that whenever something bad happens, she's the first person you think of, right?"
Jasper's face darkened, hatred flashing in his eyes: "We Brown Family members have done nothing wrong to her. We took her in and gave her everything, and she's betrayed us at every turn. It was bad enough that she constantly competed with Sophia, but she also used underhanded tactics and dirty tricks that kept landing Sophia in the hospital. We were good enough to her, yet she dared to steal money from the family..."
I reminded him: "You need evidence when you make accusations, or do you think you can say whatever you want because Emma can't come out to confront you?"
Jasper eagerly explained to me, "Ms. Wilson, I'm telling you this because I want to say that appearances can be deceiving. If she deceived you into doing these things to us, the Brown Family, I don't blame you. She's deeply scheming - someone like her, you should be careful around."
As he spoke excitedly, he half stood up, leaning forward to explain to me.
I waved my hand to interrupt him, tapping my fingers lightly on the conference table: "When did I ever say I knew Emma?"
Jasper calmed down again. He had to suppress his temper - after all, the Brown Group's fate was now in my hands.
"I can't think of any other reason, Ms. Wilson. Our cooperation hasn't hurt you at all, and we want to continue working together long-term. But we need a way forward. I know you really do have the power to acquire our factory right now, but you should calculate that the factory has been there for over ten years, its current market value isn't cheap. After you take it over, whether it's management or the physical infrastructure, everything needs to be redone. The cost will definitely be higher then. Why bother? Right?"
"So Mr. Brown's switching from carrot to stick?" I smiled, looking into his eyes. "You should have known from when you first met me - I've never been afraid of confrontation. Let me put it this way: I'm taking the employees, and now you need to make the products properly for me. As for the Brown Group's reputation, that's none of my concern."
After a pause, I added: "As for Emma—"
I slowly watched his expression change repeatedly, my smile deepening as I raised an eyebrow slightly: "Maybe I'm just sent by God to help her?"
Jasper looked into my eyes, a trace of confusion crossing his face.
He could no longer tell whether my answer was true or false, but he could now only be certain that I had some connection to Emma.
"If there's nothing else, Mr. Brown, please leave. Go back and control your quality properly, when it comes time for deductions, your company might not even have that money to spare." I slowly stood up, already making gestures to send him away.
Jasper stood there, dejected and confused. He'd waited for me so long - for what? It seemed like he'd accomplished nothing.
I didn't care about him and walked out of the office first. When I reached the door, I turned back to remind him: "Oh, if you're not selling your stock, hold onto it tight - not everyone is like you."
Jasper looked up, his face showing alarm: "What do you mean?"
The brighter my smile at that moment, the more panicked he became.
"Nothing, just a friendly reminder. It's almost the end of the year - don't forget to call me for the shareholders' meeting." At the doorway, I stopped again and said this to him.
Jasper didn't immediately understand what I meant: "What?"
I gave him a calm smile: "You'll know when the time comes."
Jasper hurried forward a few steps: "Explain yourself. What shareholders' meeting? Only a small portion of our company's stock is publicly traded. Don't tell me you've become one of our shareholders."
I shrugged: "I have other things to do, so I won't keep you any longer."
Jasper wanted to chase after me, but Bianca, who had just come out of the office, stepped forward with a smile and stopped him: "Mr. Brown, our CEO has really been busy lately. Is there anything else you need? If not, shall I have someone escort you down?"
Jasper watched my disappearing figure and could only helplessly clench his fists. Without further entanglement, I figured the first thing he'd do when he got back would be to check his company's stock situation. If he found out I currently held over thirty percent of their shares, I wondered what he'd think.
Or maybe he wouldn't dare to think about it at all.
After all, I only needed to persuade one or two more shareholders, and the Brown Group could be directly renamed SoftGlow Biotech.
I returned to my office in a good mood, quickly went through the documents on my desk, and then got a phone notification about a news report on Oscar:
[The western development plan for Emerald City has completed the approval process, and construction teams are moving in, about to begin large-scale construction.]
This was good news. I wondered how his proposal finally got through the review.
I casually scrolled through my phone and saw another message: [Ivan Franklin, former Deputy Director of the Urban Planning Office, has been terminated and is under criminal investigation for alleged bribery and corruption.]
These two things were definitely related. Oscar must have been busy with this recently.
Looking at my phone screen, I couldn't help but smile. Oscar really was vindictive.
There were two knocks on the office door, and Nina walked in wearing high heels: "Ms. Wilson, you're moving pretty fast. It's actually starting to look legit."
I stood up from my office chair, smiling: "You're finally back?"
Nina raised an eyebrow and smiled at me: "Girl, I literally just got back and came straight to see you! That's true friendship right there! Look what I snagged for you - this perfume is rare back home."
She placed a small, delicate perfume bottle in front of me. "I hear a lot has happened while I've been gone?"
I took the perfume without hesitation: "You didn't do badly at fashion week abroad either. Now if I want to see news about you, I have to look at the trending topics. So about that project design Oscar mentioned to you last time - will you consider taking it? He's got money to spend."
Nina wrinkled her nose proudly: "Absolutely not if he's asking. But since it's you? Different story. I'm gonna make him pay through the nose. Ground rules: I'm short on time - no rushing, no backseat driving. If you don't get something... better not ask."
I couldn't help but laugh at her: "Fine, you're in charge. So dinner together tonight? My treat, to celebrate your design award."
"Mexican food okay?" Her face showed excitement.
"Whatever you want." My smile was indulgent.